New medallion chosen for Sacred Heart Chapel in Lorain

Eric Bonzar/EBonzar@morningjournal.com

Magdalena Cruz, left, and Susan Sobol, stand beside their artwork July 15. An art challenge was held to replace a weathered medallion that graced the front of the church, Sacred Heart Chapel Pastor William Thaden said. Sobol's stained glass piece was selected first place by a panel of judges and will be replicated to replace the old medallion. Cruz's piece was chosen as people's choice during the church's 62nd annual Fiestas Patronales held over the past weekend.
Brian Mulholland's piece, bottom right, was chosen second place, and Donald Woods' piece, top right, was selected third place, Thaden said.

LORAIN — After years of abuse from Lorain’s often extreme weather, the painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that graced the front of Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Ave., needed to be replaced.
Thaden said the original medallion was a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Through the years, the weather took its toll on the painting.
“It hasn’t been there for years,” Thaden said of the painting. “When we replaced the stucco on the church building, we took it (the painting) off and it just about crumbled in our hands, it was so worn,” Thaden said.
Thaden decided to hold an art challenge, which began on Jan. 1. He invited parishioners and non-parishioners to submit their suggestions for the 59-inch diameter circle where the new painting would be placed.
A total of 17 entries were submitted.
Sacred Heart parishioner Susan Sobol won first prize.
Her entry was all done in beach glass. The second prize went to Brian Mulholland’s painting. Third place went to Donald Woods for his illustration.
“There were submissions from young kids to adults, with drawings, paintings and glass work,” Thaden said.
Thaden said the art challenge had three judges. Also, there was a people’s choice. During the church festival, people were asked to cast votes on their favorite representation of the Sacred Heart.
The second-place winner of $100 went to Donald Mulholland, who created an oil painting which was his interpretation of the Saced Heart on fire with love.
A third prize of $50 went to Donald Woods for his black-and-white silhouette of the Crucifixion with the Sacred Heart superimposed on it.
Now that a selection has been made, Thaden said the next step will be to affix the winning entry in place, the new symbol of the Sacred Heart, to be positioned above the front doors of the church.